Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, which share boundaries with Cross River, have solicited greater security and maritime cooperation with the state.
The request was made by the consul general of Cameroon for Benue State and South-South Nigeria, Patrice Onana, and his counterpart from Equatorial Guinea, Iideonso Ondo Mchama, who visited the governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, in his office in Calabar on Thursday at different times.
Mchama called for closer diplomatic ties between Nigeria and his country, Equatorial Guinea.
He said the visit was to identify with the state government for its hospitality and to strengthen the relationship between his country, Nigeria, and Cross River in particular.
Delivering his message, the Cameroonian Consul-General, Patrice Onana, commended the state government for hosting over 60, 000 Cameroonian refugees following the crisis in two of its 10 provinces.
The Consul-General stressed that the visit is to maintain good collaboration with the state, assuring that the peaceful nature of Cross River people will not be abused.
The envoy also maintained that the long maritime border between both countries requires robust security collaboration to safeguard and boost trade and business.
Responding to the Equatorial Guinea envoy, Governor Otu disclosed that plans are underway for the commencement of flight operations as well as marine transportation to the Republic.
Otu stressed the need for aviation and maritime transportation between both countries through Cross River State.
Otu said: “At the moment, there are a lot of gaps we should be able to fill that would be mutually beneficial.
“We are planning to get some international flights that would be flying direct from Calabar to Equatorial Guinea. I believe it will do our commerce a lot of good.
“Statistically, Nigerians are the highest number of immigrants in Equatorial Guinea, and flying through Calabar to Equatorial Guinea takes about 20 to 25 minutes, unlike other longer routes.
“The marine economy is also something that is majorly lacking. And what we need is a vessel that would convey cargo between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea directly. And there is a lot of cargo movement between these two countries.”
Reacting to the Cameroonian envoy, Otu noted that Nigeria and Cameroon have had a long-standing relationship, and there was a need to strengthen it in the face of security threats that have undermined trade and commerce between both countries.
He said the state was keen on boosting security, especially along its maritime corridor, and welcomed a meeting of the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission with his counterpart across the border.
Governor Otu assured his guest that Nigeria would not harbour separatist elements in the country, but also charged Cameroon to work hard on border control.
